A somber city found a glimmer of hope as authorities announced the arrest of two suspects linked to the horrific murder of beloved actor Johnny Wactor. Then, just hours later, authorities announced the arrest of two more. And although the old saying innocent until proven guilty stands for now, downtown is celebrating what may lead to more arrests in the uptake of catalytic converter thefts.
The young star, known for his role in the popular soap opera “General Hospital,” was fatally shot on May 25th while attempting to protect a friend from a carjacking.
Urban memorial in honor of slain actor – photo by Shawn Smith
The arrest comes as a small victory for the grieving family and community, who have been grappling with the senseless loss of a rising talent. Wactor’s mother, Scarlett, has been a vocal critic of the city’s perceived leniency towards criminals, telling mainstream media outlets that Los Angeles has a “pro-criminal atmosphere” contributing to her son’s tragic demise.
The investigation, initially shrouded in mystery, led to a series of marches, city hall appearances and fund raisers held in honor of the slain talent, whose life was cut short in the budding stages of his career.
Sinner turned saint Johnny Wactor the Actor formally of General Hospital was killed after leaving his late shift at Level 8
DTLA resident groups Watch DTLA led by Shawn Smith, Edwin Ho’s DTLA Citizen Alerts, DTLA Town Square and DT Weekly’s DTLA Uncensored, along with other relevant local news outlets, banned together for months to bring attention to the masses and push authorities and any potential witnesses to take action.
March to City Hall – Photo by Shawn Smith
The investigation took a significant turn when detectives focused their attention on the notorious Florencia 13 gang. The suspects, identified as Robert Barceleau and Leonel Gutierrez, are believed to be members of the criminal organization known for its involvement in a surge of catalytic converter thefts plaguing the city.
Newly released photos help police identify the alleged killers
Through meticulous examination of surveillance footage and witness testimonies, investigators were able to pinpoint three individuals, including one with distinctive facial tattoos, as the perpetrators of the crime. A crucial breakthrough came when fingerprints lifted from a floor jack used during the attempted carjacking matched those of the suspects.
18-year-olds, Barceleau and Gutierrez were apprehended on Thursday and booked into custody on $2 million bail each. Authorities later apprehended 18 year old, Sergio Estrada, and lastly, 22-year-old Frank Olano in connection to the murder.
KTLA News Helicopters capture moment of suspect arrests.
The arrest of these individuals marks a significant step forward in the pursuit of justice for Johnny Wactor as well a heightened sense of empowerment for the DTLA community who stood together to combat violent crime.
As the legal process unfolds, Downtown Los Angeles remains united in its support for the Wactor family and in its determination to create a safer environment for all its residents.
